Merry Christmas To Me - Help Me Choose Shoes

I am looking to buy myself some Christmas presents in the form of C&Js from Plal. I can't decide, so I am looking for some help on what to choose.

Here's my background: I'm 24, not yet needing to dress up for my job, but hopefully it won't be long. I live in the Midwest and can't really travel. The best shoes available here are Allen-Edmonds and Santoni Classic. Santoni is too expensive and not inspiring, A-Es will help me fill in holes after my C&J purchases. The only quality shoe I have is a reddish-brown monk strap from Bally Scribe. My other shoes are ok looking, but not high quality.

Here are the options that I am looking at (I plan to buy 2 now, may buy more later). I would love other suggestions, though I am not really looking anything too conservative. For example, I am planning to get the Audley for conservative occassions, but not in my first purchase. These will come a bit later as I don't really need them right now. I am also looking for something that Allen-Edmonds either doesn't offer or doesn't do nearly as well.

Weymouth in Dark Brown Calf (looks like the essential C&J shoe and looks sharp), Savile in Black Calf or Dark Brown Suede (I like monks, and need a black one, but the suede is intriguing. Are monks considered dressy at all?), Drummond in Mink Suede (awesome in pics, but what do you wear them with?), and the Chelsea 3 in Black Calf (I love boots, and I'm looking specifically for a black boot that is dressy enough for suits. Does anyone else make one better?).

I also know about the Edward Green sale, but it looks like it will be $600-$700...and I'm not sure if that is a smart move right now. I especially like the Ecton and Onley...Any and all opinions and suggestions are appreciated.

I think the Clifford on the 337 Last in tan would be a great choice. With the full brogueing, it doesn't look as dressy as the Weymouth and is something that can be worn well with jeans or trousers.

I think anything on the 348 or 337 is nice and sleek, and you can't go wrong with those. Whether you want suede or boots is a different question I'm not sure how to answer since I don't have any in my rotation and probably wouldn't. For some reason, if I want more casual shoes, I won't be looking to C&Js or any high end shoe maker.

1. Audley - for dress
2. Clifford - for casual wear

of your mentioned 4, i'd choose the Savile.

Please note the lasting differences on the various C&J. The 337, 348, and 341 are all elongated lasts. The 330 has a higher volume toebox than most of the benchgrade models (238, 240, 318, etc.). That being said, the first C&J I would purchase would be either the Weymouth or a 2/3-eyelet blucherf. Both are extremely versatile. Secondly, I would recommend any of C&Js boots, which I believe to be a particular strength of the company.

Drays, what size shoe do you wear? The Drummond is a great shoe (would be more versatile in calf than suede, however...). But if you've got big feet, you might want to steer clear of the 348 last...

I'm for Weymouth. Elegant yet I find it suitable with more casual attire.

The Savile would be a top choice, but I am very partial to monks. Yes, monkstraps can be a dressier shoe, but I also like them for somewhat more casualwear as well.

I think that black shoes look their best when done in an elegant monkstrap style such as the Savile. I have them in dark brown calf and they are stunning.

The Weymouth is also a very elegant shoe.

I vote for the Weymouth, hands down. To me, one of the most important things in selecting a new pair of shoes is a cool toe shape. Nothing extreme, but I want an elegant pair of shoes for the price i'm paying, and plain ol' captoes aren't quite there (although maybe for a future purchase, as you mentioned)-- especially for a young man like yourself.

Dark brown calf is definitely the way to go-- they will take a great shine, and the shoe will have incredible "depth" that will draw compliments from attractive women, to be sure.


nice side by side comparison--
http://www.plal.com/images/cj/cj0203.jpg

Just make sure your feet aren't wide (> US D) if you plan to be comfortable wearing the 337 last. There isn't all that much room for the toes, at least the way Polo sizes this shoe.

Thanks so much for all the responses thus far. I wear a 10.5UK, so my feet are a little on the larger side. Is the 348 even longer than the 337 or are they comparable? I've heard that this could be a possible problem with C&J, but I would like something a little sleeker and streamlined than I already have. Luckily, my feet aren't wide and I think I will be fine in the 337 last in that department. For example, I fit fine in the Park Avenue, in fact, they feel good to me. I understand that this is the narrowest last for Allen-Edmonds, but I'm not sure who it compares to the 337 and 348. Right now I am looking at definately getting the Weymouth in Dark Brown and I'm deciding between the Savile and Chelsea in Black Calf. I still plan to get the Audley and Drummond, but it will be in the future at some point. But then again, I change my mind daily. Any other advice or reccomendations would be much appreciated!

Originally Posted by teddieriley

Click to expand...

I think the Clifford on the 337 Last in tan would be a great choice. With the full brogueing, it doesn't look as dressy as the Weymouth and is something that can be worn well with jeans or trousers.

I think anything on the 348 or 337 is nice and sleek, and you can't go wrong with those. Whether you want suede or boots is a different question I'm not sure how to answer since I don't have any in my rotation and probably wouldn't. For some reason, if I want more casual shoes, I won't be looking to C&Js or any high end shoe maker.

If you were looking for boots or suede shoes, whom would you rather choose? I would like high quality shoes even if a little on the casual end. Plus, I live in the Midwest and suede is considered dressy here, so I might get more wear out of them than some more satorially accomplished locales. I would also like to hear any reccomendations on cheaper alternatives.

Originally Posted by drays4life

Click to expand...

If you were looking for boots or suede shoes, whom would you rather choose? I would like high quality shoes even if a little on the casual end. Plus, I live in the Midwest and suede is considered dressy here, so I might get more wear out of them than some more satorially accomplished locales. I would also like to hear any reccomendations on cheaper alternatives.


these are nice

http://www.polo.com/product/index.js...entPage=family